Stripper apparatus for production of labels



STRIPPER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF LABELS Filed 001;. 25, 1967 July 28, 1970 w L s ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 uvvewrms FREDERICK P. WILLIAMS JOHN 1.. McCORMICK Erma 4%;

ATTORNEY -STRIPPER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF LABELS I Filed 001:. 25, 1967 July 28, 1970 F. P. WILLIAMS ET AL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS FREDERICK P. WILLIAMS JOHN L. McCQRMICK WW fi% 7 A TTORNE' Y United States Patent O 3,522,136 STRIPPER APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF LABELS Frederick P. Williams, Kettering, and John L. McCormick, Centerville, Ohio, assignors to Presto Adhesive Paper Company, Incorporated, Miamisburg, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 25, 1967, Ser. No. 677,887

Int. Cl. B32b US. Cl. 156-584 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One method for the production of labels is that of printing the labels in closely spaced seriatim relationship upon a continuous strip or sheet of paper or the like. The strip or sheet is adhesively attached to a continuous carrier sheet or the like. Thus, a web is formed which, comprises a continuous carrier sheet or strip and a continuous label sheet or strip, adhesively attached thereto. The web then moves to die cutter apparatus or the like which cuts or severs the labels from the label strip while the labels and the label strip remain adhesively attached to the carrier strip. Then the portion of the label strip from which the labels are cut, usually referred to as the matrix, is peeled or stripped from the carrier strip, while the labels remain adhesively attached to the carrier strip. The labels are thus carried upon the carrier strip and removed therefrom when desired.

One of the problems involved in such production of labels is that during the stripping of a matrix from the carrier sheet some of the labels tend to follow the matrix and leave the carrier sheet.

Thus, an object of this invention is to provide stripper apparatus which effectively strips a matrix from a carrier sheet without causing the labels to leave the carrier sheet.

Usually a stripper bar has been used which is disposed immediately above the moving web. As the web moves forwardly, under the stripper bar, the matrix portion of the webis drawn rearwardly over the stripper bar. Due to the fact that the matrix, with the labels removed therefrom is rather weak, the stripper bar should engage the matrix across substantially all of the Width thereof, as the matrix is pulled angularly rearwardly in engagement with the stripper bar. Usually the labels are printed immediately prior to movement to the position of the stripper bar. Therefore, some or all of the ink may not be dry when the labels move to the position of the stripper bar. Thus, it has been found that when the sheet or strip upon which the labels are printed is moved under the stripper bar for peeling the matrix from the carrier sheet, the labels engage the stripper bar and some of the ink thereupon smears and destroys the value of the labels.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a stripper bar or stripper structure by which a matrix is easily and readily stripped or peeled from a carrier sheet without causing smearing of the ink of the label.

Other objects and advantages reside in the construction of the invention, combinations thereof, the method of manufacture, and the mode of operation, as will become more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing stripper apparatus of this invention and illustrating operation thereof.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, drawn on a slightly larger scale than FIG. 1, showing other stripper apparatus of this invention and illustrating operation thereof.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of other stripper apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of other stripper apparatus of this invention, illustrating use thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of other stripper apparatus of this invention illustrating use thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a carrier strip or sheet 12, which, as shown in the left portion of the figure, is adhesively attached to a label sheet 14. The label sheet 14 has label material or indicia printed on the surface thereof which is facing away from view at the left hand portion of the figure. The label material or indicia is printed on the surface of the label sheet 14 in closely spaced areas. The label sheet 14 and the carrier sheet 12 move together as a web to a position between die cutter rolls 16, or the like. The die cutter rolls 16 cut the label sheet 14 along the complete periphery of each of the areas upon which label material or indicia is printed. Thus, each label area is severed from the label sheet 14. Thus, labels 20 are formed, and the labels 20 and the label sheet 14 continue to be adhesively attached to the carrier sheet 12. The label sheet 14, after the labels 20 are severed therefrom by the die cutter rolls 16, becomes a matrix, herein referred to by reference numeral 40.

The web which comprises the carrier sheet 12, with the labels 20 and the matrix 40 attached thereto, continues to move from the die cutter rolls 16 to a stripper member 24 which is in the form of a bar or blade. The stripper bar or blade 24 is supported by mounting blocks 26, which are attached to rail members 30 which are carried by any suitable support structure 32. The blade 24 may be a normally straight flexible member which is bent arcuately and retained in an arcuate shape by the mounting blocks 26. A table 34 is carried by the rail members 30 and the support structure 32. The carrier sheet 12 slidably moves to the right upon the table 34, as illustrated by an arrow 38 in FIG. 1.

The matrix 40 is drawn upwardly and rearwardly in engagement with the stripper bar .or blade 24, as the matrix 40 is wound'upon a shaft 41, as illustrated by an arrow 42. The shaft 41 is rotated by any suitable means, not shown.

Due to the fact that the stripper bar or blade 24 has a very thin or narrow edge dimension, the angle of stripping of the matrix 40 from the carrier sheet 12 is acute and sharp.

In this invention it has been found when a sharp or acute angle between the matrix 40 and the carrier sheet 12 exists, the tendency of the labels 20 to move away from the carrier sheet 12 with the matrix 40 is negligible. Therefore, the stripping action is excellent as the labels 20 tend to remain with the carrier sheet 12, while the matrix 40 from which the labels '20 are cut is stripped from the carrier sheet 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stripper bar or blade 24 has end portions which are adjacent the table 34 for main- 3 taining the marginal edge portions of the matrix in juxtaposition with or adjacent the table 34. However, the portion of the blade 24 which is intermediate the ends thereof is spaced from the table 34. Therefore, as the carrier sheet 12 is drawn along the table 34, as illustrated by the arrow 38, and as the shaft 41 rotates and draws the matrix 40 upwardly and rearwardly, the separation of the matrix 40 from the carrier sheet 12 occurs smoothly. Due to the fact that the stripper bar 24 has the portion intermediate the ends thereof spaced from the table 34, the labels 20 move under the stripper bar 24 without contacting the stripper bar 24. Therefore, if the labels 20 have wet ink thereupon, the wet ink is not smeared during the stripping operation.

FIG. 3

FIG. 3 shows a stripper member or bar 50 which constitutes other structure of this invention. The stripper bar 50 has end portions or abutment portions 52 which are in juxtaposition with or adjacent the marginal parts of the matrix 40 and maintain the marginal parts of the matrix 40 in juxtaposition with the table 34. The stripper bar 50 has an intermediate or raised portion 53 which is between the end portions 52 thereof. The lower surface of the intermediate portion 53 has an arcuate lower surface which faces the labels 20. Preferably, the upper surface of the intermediate portion 53 is substantially coplanar and slopes downwardly in the direction of travel of the carrier strip 12.

As stripping action occurs, the labels 20 pass under the intermediate portion 53 of the stripper bar 50 without coming into contact therewith. During the stripping action, the marginal parts of the matrix 40 contact the end portions 52 of the stripper bar 50, and the transversely extending parts of the matrix 40 which connect together the marginal parts thereof come into frictional engagement with the intermediate portion 53 of the stripper bar 50.

Thus, good stripping action occurs without the smearing of wet ink which may exist upon the labels 20.

FIG. 4

FIG. 4 illustrates a stripper member 54 of this inven tion. The stripper member 54 has end portions or abutment portions 55 and an intermediate portion 56. Each of the abutment portions 55 has a lower surface which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a web which moves with respect thereto. The intermediate portion 56 of the stripper member 54 has a lower surface which is substantially parallel to the surface of a table such as the table 34 to which the stripper member 54 may be attached.

Thus, as a web, such as that shown in FIG. 1, moves between the table 34 and the stripper member 54, the labels which are a part thereof move under the intermediate portion 56 without coming into contact therewith.

FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a stripper member or bar 60 which con stitutes other structure of this invention. The stripper bar 60 is particularly adapted for stripping a matrix 62 from which a plurality of laterally spaced rows of labels 64 is severed. The stripper bar 60 has abutment portions 66 which are in juxtaposition with a table, not shown, upon which the carrier sheet or strip 70 moves. Two of the abutment portions 66 are adjacent the ends of the stripper bar 60 and engage the outer marginal parts of the matrix 62. The stripper bar 60 also has intermediate abutment portions 66 which are intermediate the ends thereof and are also in juxtaposition with the table upon which the carrier sheet 70 moves. The intermediate abutment portions 66 are adjacent longitudinally extending portions of the matrix 62 between adjacent rows of labels 64.

The stripper bar 60 has raised portions or intermediate portions 68 which are spaced from the table upon which the carrier strip 70 moves. Each raised portion 68 is between two of the abutment portions 66. Thus, during the stripping operation each longitudinally extending part of the matrix 62 is maintained in juxtaposition with the carrier strip 70 as the matrix 62 moves around a portion of the stripper bar 60 in contact therewith and as the carrier strip 70 moves forwardly, as illustrated by an arrow 72. Each transversely extending part of the matrix 62 engages a raised portion of the stripper member 60.

Stripping action is therefore excellent as the carrier sheet or strip 70 and the labels 64, adhesively attached thereto, move forwardly from the stripper bar 60. Each label 64 moves below a raised portion 68 of the stripper bar 60 in spaced relationship therefrom, and wet ink which may exist upon the labels 64 is not smeared during the stripping action.

FIG. 6

FIG. 6 shows a stripper member of this invention in the form of a stripper roller which is rotatably carried in bearing blocks 82 which are attached to side frame members 84. A table 86 is disposed between the side frame members 84 and is attached thereto.

The stripper roller 80 has end portions 81 which are of a given diameter and which are adjacent each of the bearing blocks 82. The roller 80 has an intermediate portion 83 which is intermediate the end portions 81 thereof and which gradually reduces in diameter toward the cen tral portion of the roller 80.

A carrier strip or sheet 88 moves upon the table 86 below the roller 80 and carries therewith a matrix which has labels 92 severed therefrom in a manner discussed above with respect to the apparatus of FIG. 1. The matrix 90 is drawn upwardly and rearwardly as the matrix 90 engages the roller 80. The roller 80 rotatively moves as the matrix 90 is moved around a portion thereof in firm engagement therewith.

The diameter of the end portions 81 of the roller 80 is such that the marginal portions of the matrix 90 are are maintained in juxtaposition with the table 86 until the portion of the carrier sheet 88 to which the marginal portions are attached move from the stripper member 80. The intermediate parts of the matrix 90 engage the intermediate portion 83 of the roller 80 and move upwardly as they come into contact with the roller 80.

Due to the fact that the intermediate portion 83 of the roller 80 has a diameter less than that of the end portions thereof, the labels 92 move under the roller 80 without coming into contact therewith.

Therefore, excellent stripping action is obtained. Furthermore, due to the fact that the labels 92 do not contact the roller 80, any wet ink which may exist upon the labels 92 does not become smeared during the stripping action.

Therefore, it is understood that the apparatus of this invention provides excellent stripping action without the smearing of wet ink which may exist upon the labels.

Although the preferred embodiment of the device has been described, it will be understood that within the purview of this invention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof and mode of operation, which generally stated consist in a device capable of carrying out the objects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. In label producing apparatus of the type provided with support structure, means for moving a continuous web with respect to the support structure as the support structure supports the web, the web including a label strip and a carrier strip, the web having .a given width, the label strip and the carrier strip being adhesively attached one to the other, label areas of the label strip having label indicia printed thereupon, each label area being severed from the label strip so that a label is formed, the portion of the label strip from which the labels are severed thus becoming a matrix, the improvement comprising means for separating the matrix from the carrier strip including a stripper member which extends across the width of the web as the web moves between the stripper member and the support structure, the stripper member having at least one abutment portion, each abutment portion being adja ent the support structure so that a longitudinal portion of the web moves upon the support structure between the abutment portion of the stripper member and the support structure, the stripper member having at least one raised portion which is spaced from the support structure, means for moving the matrix in a direction from the support structure as the matrix contacts each raised portion of the stripper member, the carrier strip thus carrying the labels in a direction from the stripper member as the matrix moves from the carrier strip, the spacing between each raised portion of the stripper member and the support structure permitting movement of the labels between the support structure and the stripper member without contact of the labels with the stripper member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member has a pair of abutment portions, there being one abutrnent portion adjacent each of opposite parts thereof.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member is an elongate relatively thin blade-like member which has an arcuate raised portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the abutment portions of the stripper member are protuberances thereof which are substantially normal to the web.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member is a rigid member having an upper surface which extends substantially across the width of the web and which slopes downwardly in the direction of movement of the carrier strip.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member has at least one abutment portion intermediate the ends thereof.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member has a plurality of raised portions between the ends thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member is rotatable.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member has a pair of abutment portions with a raised portion therebetween.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the stripper member is a flexible blade member which is retained in an arcuate shape by a pair of support members at the ends thereof.

11. Apparatus for producing labels from a web which includes a carrier strip and a label strip having labels severed therefrom but contained thereby, the labels and the label strip being adhesively attached to the carrier strip, the label strip thus consisting of a matrix and labels, there being means for moving the web and for moving the matrix with respect to the web, comprising:

support means disposed adjacent the web,

an elongate flexible member extending across the web and retained in an arcuate shape by the support means so that the elongate flexible member has end portions adjacent marginal edge portions of the web with an intermediate portion of the elongate flexible member spaced from the web, the web moving between the support structure and the elongate flexible member, the matrix moving in sliding contact with the elongate flexible member as the labels move between the intermediaate portion of the elongate flexible member and the support structure and in spaced relationship with respect to the intermediate portion of the elongate flexible member.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which the support means includes mounting blocks which engage the elongate flexible member at each of opposite ends thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,304,787 12/1942 Avery 156248 3,032,463 5/1962 Morgan 156268 3,166,186 1/1965 Karn 156253 3,169,895 2/1965 Sohn 156584 SAMUEL FEINBERG, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

